The best things to do during the spring school holidays in Melbourne and beyond

The iconic Melbourne Royal Show is coming back to town for another season of family fun. Look forward to animal encounters, fireworks, rides and more. Find it at Melbourne Showgrounds from Thursday, September 24 to Sunday, October 4.

Head to Yarra Park for Footy Fest, and get excited for the Grand Final with footy clinics, player appearances, giveaways, music, food trucks and even a performance from The Wiggles. It’s on from Wednesday, September 23 to Saturday, September 26.

This virtual reality adventure was created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Stand on the edge of black holes, see a supernova, explore an exoplanet and much more. Smithsonian Starstruck launches at 206 Bourke Street in Melbourne on July 3.

Check out the Children’s Play exhibition by Ragnar Kjartansson at NGV International. Located in the Children’s Gallery, this exhibition is free to visit. Kids can express their creativity with hands-on activities, like sketching food, building dessert sculptures with cushions and putting on costumes. There’s plenty of other artsy activities for the school holidays, like drawing and painting sessions. Learn more here.

Take a walk on the wild side and marvel at all the incredible animals at any of the Zoos Victoria locations. Children under 16 can visit Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Kyabram Fauna Park for free on school holidays and weekends.

There’s a whole stack of things for kids to try at Melbourne Museum over the spring school holidays. Celebrate the Rome exhibition with some family-friendly activities, like a gladiator workshop. Join one of the Tiny Tours to learn more about animals, take part in a museum sleepover and more. See what’s happening over the school holidays here.

If your child loves soccer, take them to see the exhibition, Home is Football: Belonging in Australian Soccer at the Immigration Museum. This exhibition explores how football is a source of community across a range of groups in Australia. It also highlights the stories of current and former football players, like Ange Postecoglou, Lydia Williams and Thomas Deng. This exhibition is free for those under 16. Learn more here.

Visit Scienceworks over the school holidays, and check out the spectacular Colour exhibition. Then, enjoy live science shows and see fulldome flicks in the Planetarium. See what’s on here.

Fed Square will focus on sustainability and nature at their spring festival, RESET. Check out free and family-friendly events and workshops that will get you thinking about how you can live sustainably. Look forward to a Big Toy Swap, movie screenings, an interactive cardboard forest and more. RESET will run on various dates throughout September and October. For the full program, click here.

ACMI has a whole range of exhibitions and experiences to help your kids learn more about screen culture. In the free exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image, you’ll learn about the past, present and future of films, TV, video games and art. There’s also fun interactive experiences, a rotating range of exhibitions, movies, and more to discover. For more family-friendly events at ACMI, click here.

Birrarung Riverfest is returning for its fourth year, and you can look forward to over 70 cool events across three weeks. Take part in exciting activities along the whole length of the Birrarung, such as platypus spotting, walking tours, paddling and more! This festival is on from Sunday, September 27 to Sunday, October 18.

Kids can take part in some free and low-cost events at State Library Victoria, like storytime with Seeing Eye dogs, workshops and craft activities. On top of that, the Pauline Gandel Children Quarter is open daily, with about 4,000 books for children 12 and under. See the school holiday program here.

Visit Mary Martin Bookshop and let your imagination fly at Melbourne Kids Book Fest. Meet authors, go on a scavenger hunt, try out a bookish escape room, take part in creative workshops and listen to stories. This festival will take place on October 2 and 3. Learn more here.

Back by popular demand, the Animal Crossing: New Horizons experience has returned to SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium. Guests can see familiar characters, collect stamps and take part in marine education activities. It’s all happening from now until November 8.

If you’ve ever wanted to wander through a dreamscape made of shimmering bubbles and glowing colours, then drift over to Bubble Planet. Perfect for all ages, this immersive experience invites you to explore ten playful, interactive environments designed to awaken your senses. Find it at the Fever Exhibition and Experience Centre in Brunswick. Get your tickets here.

Find something for everyone at the Melbourne Festival of Puppetry, with roving performances, free shows, workshops, masterclasses, different shows for kids and adults, a picnic day and more. This festival is on from September 22 to 27. Learn more here.

You’ll be kept on your toes at 123Boom!, an immersive puzzle adventure where you and your team are tasked with diffusing a ‘bomb’ to save the day. To do so, you’ll require teamwork, skill, and problem-solving, all racing against the clock as the story advances and the seconds tick down. It’s open now, and you can find your tickets here.

Look on the bright side of life with Monty Python’s Spamalot. This absurd retelling of Monty Python and the Holy Grail follows the adventures of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. It’s suitable for all ages, and playing at the Athenaeum Theatre from now until October 11.

Round up some friends and tackle some fun challenges at SENSAS. Test all five of your senses in some wacky experiences. This playful space is now open, and is suitable for visitors over the age of 7. Get your tickets here.

See some of the world’s biggest monster trucks and best drivers battle it out in AAMI Park. At Monster Jam, you’ll see huge trucks defy the laws of gravity with all sorts of cool stunts. It’s all happening on October 3.

Get out on the water over the school holidays by taking a ride with Port Phillip Ferries. Kids can stay busy on a 90-minute adventure on a Junior Captain Adventure Cruise, where they’ll solve clues, complete challenges and hunt for treasures. Or, they can belt out their favourite tunes on a Taylor Swift Singalong Cruise. Kids can travel free on all regular ferry services during the school holidays. See what’s available here.

Challenge yourself and your teammates to escape Prison Island. Instead of breaking out from a single room, you’ll take on a series of tasks in multiple cells and race against the clock. This experience is suitable for those aged 7+. Find it at The District Docklands. Grab your tickets here.

Embark on an immersive and playful experience at IMAGINATOR in Docklands. Move through this family-friendly space and feel lost in a world of colour and sound. Learn more here.

The first in Australia of its kind, ArtVo is an immersive art or ‘trick art’ gallery. Journey through 1400 square meters of illusionary art pieces, and have fun taking pictures in weird and wonderful situations! There are nine themed zones to explore with over eighty hand-painted immersive installations. Explore the ocean, polar ice caps, space, and the forest throughout the various themed rooms.

This is a great activity to do as a family, and you’ll be able to create many fun family photos that will provide you with lasting memories.

Head to The District Docklands and go on a space adventure at Saboteurs. Set inside converted shipping containers, this Among Us-style game is perfect for school holiday activities in Melbourne. Kids can run around in this immersive environment, complete fun tasks and eject any suspicious imposters. Get your tickets here.

Flip your perspective at House Down Under. Head to Docklands and enter an inverted house that looks like it dropped straight from the sky! Walk in and take heaps of fun photos, while exploring the upside-down rooms. See more here.

Metartworld is a metal art gallery in Port Melbourne that’s filled with unique artworks from international artists. Marvel at over 200 metal sculptures, each handmade from scrap metal and recycled material.

There is also a a “starry sky” exhibition on the second floor which displays a perfect combination of advanced technology with the world of light and shadows. There’s different themed spaces, an immersive 360° tunnel and more.

While you’re there, play some VR games and have a blast in the 9D Flying Cinema. This is an incredible experience that is great for groups of all ages and sizes.

Colosso in Brighton has a padel program for the school holidays. Over two days, kids will learn how to play the sport, with lunch and snacks provided. This event will run from September 21-22, and 28-20, from 9:30am to 1pm. More info here.

Step back in time and try to solve the case at Pentridge Prison. Work together to thwart an escape plan on the immersive family tour, PrisonBreak Explorers. Find out more.

Fans of all ages can head to Westfield Knox and take park in some basketball and agility challenges inspired by Marvel heroes, such as a Hulk Jump Test or an Iron Man Shooting Arcade. Have fun in the Marvel craft zone, or head outside to the basketball court, where you’ll see NBL players. It’s all happening from September 19 to October 4.

URBNSURF is kicking things off with a spring opening party from Thursday, September 17 to Sunday, September 20. Kids can surf for half price all weekend, with family friendly activities like face painting taking place on Sunday. If you can’t make it, that’s ok! This place is suitable for kids aged 6 and up, making it a great place to let some energy out all year round.

Journey 450 years ago to the legendary Inca citadel. Developed with leading archaeological experts, this virtual reality experience, you’ll explore Machu Picchu and see the agricultural terraces, the Temple of the Sun and more, surrounded by the majestic Andes. Find it at 206 Bourke St. Get your tickets here. 

Journey through lush forests and across trestle bridges on the famous Puffing Billy. Opt for something classic and let your legs dangle from the carriage sill, while admiring dreamy views from this iconic steam train. Perfect for all ages, this experience in the Dandenong Ranges is a great way to spend the school holidays.

Drive out to the Dandenong Ranges and feel delighted by the visual splendour of the Tesselaar Tulip Festival. There’s over one million bulbs spread across five acres to discover. On top of the tulips, there will be food, drinks and entertainment. The Tesselaar Tulip Festival will run from now until Sunday October 11.

Drive out to the Yarra Valley and celebrate spring at the CherryHill Orchards. Take your family, your friends, and even your dog, and explore the stunning rows of blooming cherry trees. Then, stick around for a picnic. The Blossom Festival is on from September 18 to October 4.

Geelong will transform into a city-wide playground during the school holidays with a series of free and ticketed events. Find activities for all ages, with performances, exhibitions, workshops, carousel rides, roving street performers and more. The Geelong Wonder Children’s Festival will run from September 14 to 24. More details here.

Take your school holiday activities to new heights by escaping to the Otways and soaring through native Australian forest at Treetops Adventure in Yeodene Park. There’s different ropes courses for you to choose from, with aerial activities, ziplines and freefall drops. There’s also two junior ropes courses for the little ones, as well as high monkey bars and a pegasus you can ride. Get your tickets here.

Gumbuya World is hosting Family Fest from September 19 to October 4, kicking things off with a Bonus Water Weekend, where guests can enjoy water attractions like the lazy river. Throughout the season, there will also be twilight sessions, wildlife encounters and even dinosaur shows.